Page 80 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

78  DELHI & THE NOR TH

4 Rajpath
National Archives: Janpath. Tel (011)
2338 3436. q Central Secretariat.
Open 10am–5:30pm Mon–Fri.
Closed public hols & Sun. ∑ national
archives.nic.in Indira Gandhi National
Centre for the Arts: Janpath. Tel (011)
2338 8155. Open 9am–5:30pm Mon–Fri.
∑ ignca.nic.in
Running east of Vijay Chowk is
Rajpath, a 3-km (2-mile) avenue
used for parades, with fountains,
canals and lawns on either side.
The National Archives, situated
at the inter section with Janpath,
Ornate iron gates leading to Rashtrapati Bhavan, designed by Lutyens houses a major collection of
state records and private papers.
2 Rashtrapati area, it is dominated by stately Opposite is the Indira Gandhi
Bhavan buildings such as the twin North National Centre for the Arts with
and South blocks (see p76) of the an archive of rare manuscripts. It
Tel (011) 2301 5321. q Central Secretariat. The two virtually holds national and inter national
Secretariat. 8 9am–4pm Fri–Sun. identical buildings that rise from exhibitions and symposia.
Change of Guard Ceremony: 15 Mar– the top of Raisina Hill were At Rajpath’s eastern end
14 Aug: 8am Sat; 15 Aug–14 Nov: 9am designed by Sir Herbert is India Gate, a massive red
Sat; 15 Nov–14 Mar: 10am Sat. Mughal
Gardens: Open Feb–Mar: Tue–Sun. Baker, who also designed sandstone arch, built to
∑ presidentofindia.nic.in the grand circular commemorate the
Sansad Bhavan Indian and British
Designed by Sir Edwin (Parliament House) soldiers who died
Lutyens (see p76) as the British to the north of Vijay in World War I, and
Viceroy’s Palace, Rashtrapati Chowk. Both the Rajya those who fell in
Bhavan, situated at the crest Sabha (Council of battle in the North-
of Raisina Hill, is now the official States) and the Lok West Frontier Province
residence of the President Sabha (House of the and the Third Afghan
of India. A vast copper-clad People) convene here War. An eternal flame
cupola soars over this elegant when Parliament is in burns in memory of
beige and red sandstone session. After the India Gate the soldiers who died
building, which covers an area December 2001 in the 1971 India-
of 2 ha (5 acres). The pièce terrorist attack, access is limited Pakistan War. Facing India Gate
de résistance is the circular and visitors can only visit the is the sand stone canopy where
Durbar Hall, situated directly galleries of Sansad Bhavan. a statue of King George V was
beneath the dome, and where Set behind Sansad Bhavan is installed in 1936. The statue is
all important state ceremonies the Anglican Cathedral Church now at Coronation Park (see p92)
and functions are held. of the Redemption, inspired by and the canopy stands empty.
To the west, the beautifully Palladio’s Church of II Redentore
landscaped grounds include in Venice. Originally built for
Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Mughal senior British officials in 1931, it 5 National Museum
Gardens. These terraced gardens is now the diocese of the Bishop See pp80–81.
with water courses and fountains, of the Church of North India.
are open to visitors in the spring.

3 Raisina Hill
Cathedral Church of the Redemption:
Tel (011) 2309 4229. q Central
Secretariat. Open 9am–6pm daily.
Galleries: Official pass & letter from MP.
∑ theredemption church.org
The barren, treeless grounds
around Raisina Hill were
selected by the British as
the site of the new capital.
Now a heavily guarded, verdant Sansad Bhavan, where the Constitution of India was drafted
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p694 and pp706–707

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